Mel Edwards

In October 2023, the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson was announced; the expanded company became operational in January 2024 where Mel serves as Global President.

The unified agency — named VML — combines world-class creativity with deep expertise in data, marketing technology and platforms. VML is a global network of about 30,000 individuals across more than 65 markets. VML is proud to serve some of the world's most recognized and respected brands, including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft, Mondelēz, SC Johnson, Sherwin-Williams, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy’s.

A catalyst for business transformation, Mel is recognized globally as a leader with a proven record of helping marketers anticipate and navigate change.

Mel is a member of the Ad Council and has been recognized as one of the most influential people in digital marketing and advertising on many occasions, and was named one of Ad Age’s European Women to Watch, a group of 20 outstanding executives making a difference in the industry.

She lives in London with her husband, Rich, and her two teenage children, Honor and Mack.

Anyone who has met Mel Edwards would describe her as driven, passionate about her work and down to earth—all qualities that will serve her well when she takes the reins as CEO of Wunderman UK later this year and becomes a member of the agency’s Leadership Board.
Noted in the industry and in the press for her candid and ‘effervescent’ commentary, Mel believes passionately in the power of CRM when delivered in a way that delivers a meaningful relationship for both the customer and the brand. She believes this can happen even when speaking to 22 million customers—a topic she explored in her 2012 Campaign Magazine ‘The Year Ahead’ essay for the direct marketing industry. 

As Global CEO, Edwards will oversee 9,200 people across 200 offices in 70 markets and build on Wunderman’s strengths as a leading digital agency. She will also uphold Wunderman’s strong culture and pursue its vision of 'Creatively Driven. Data Inspired'.

Edwards is a globally recognised leader with a proven track record of driving innovation and business transformation. In the past year alone, she has helped to consolidate Wunderman’s position in the marketplace by spearheading the agency’s place on Shell’s 'Agency of the Future' roster, launching on-site solution Wunderman Inside and hiring top talent including client lead Jason Warnes, global client consulting lead Kathryn Arbour and Wunderman Inside MD James Sanderson.
Edwards has been with Wunderman since 2012 and for the past three years has served as EMEA CEO. During her six years at Wunderman, Edwards has been instrumental in helping to win and retain some of the agency’s largest clients including Shell, BT Group, EY and Samsung Europe. She is recognised throughout the industry as one of the most influential people shaping the digital landscape, featuring in this year’s BIMA 100 and Ad Age’s Women to Watch Europe list. Prior to joining Wunderman, Edwards served as CEO of M&C Saatchi’s LIDA.

Believing passionately in the power of digital to anticipate and deliver even the most basic consumer needs, Mel helps brands transform to establish long-standing relationships with consumers that drive business results.
Mel took the reins of Wunderman UK in 2012, with the brief of turning the agency into a formidable force in the market. In that time the agency won numerous high-profile accounts including Shell’s consolidated global CRM & Retail account and Coca-Cola’s CRM account across Northern Europe. While developing an open culture within the agency, Mel oversaw the creation of an in-house publishing capability and dedicated content studio, more award wins that ever before and a shortlist for Campaign Magazines Agency of the Year for 2014.
Subsequently in February 2015, Mel was promoted to CEO of EMEA, where she drives the business forward in 40 markets, 78 offices and with a team of over 3,000. Prior to Wunderman Mel was CEO of M&C Saatchi’s LIDA, where she doubled the agencies profits whilst winning numerous creative accolades – resulting in being named Marketing Magazine’s direct marketing agency for 2011. In that time Mel also sat on M&C Saatchi’s Group Board and also chaired the IPA’s Direct Marketing Group. 

CEO Sep 2010 – Jul 2012

Managing Director Apr 2007 – Sep 2010

Client Services Director Aug 2004 – Apr 2007

Group Account Director Mar 2000 – Aug 2004